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TPI serp belt ?'s

Z71paramedic

Z71paramedic

Wait....What???
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If anybody has been reading my build in the first gen stuff you'll know that I was going to get a new 383 roller and run a 91 TPI setup on it but plans have since changed (bitching neighbors...). I have put the old 355 back in it but was considering still running the serpentine setup on it for now until I get the new motor. My question is does anyone know of a belt/routing that uses the factory setup but no a/c or air pump? The reason I ask is that I'm trying to be as cheap as possible now that I can't finish the truck the way I want but would like to use as much of the new stuff as possible so we don't have to move with a bunch of extra parts next year. I know about the delete pulleys but was hoping to not spend the $$$ on them. I also already know about the different water pump and have a newer p/s pump for the hydroboost. Let me know:bow:
 
I think the last of the squarebody Caprice`s used them w/or w/out the airpump, seen both. You prob with need to get an AC delete pulley to use with those. You also might ck the 88+ new body style trucks, could prob find one w/no AC.
 
You don't need the A/C delete pulley.
I have a full serp setup from a 91 9C1 caprice on my 71, no compressor, no smog, no delete pulley.
I'll look for a pic on my server and post it if I find one.
 
As I understand it from my TPI research, you need dedicated TPI brackets. TBI brackets interfere with the TPI throttle body...


and, the Caprices had LT1's, IIRC...
 
62 fat guy said:
As I understand it from my TPI research, you need dedicated TPI brackets. TBI brackets interfere with the TPI throttle body...


and, the Caprices had LT1's, IIRC...
Click to expand...


He isn't running a TPI setup anymore, and that negates the clearance issues with the tpi throttle body, unless I read his post wrong.

And the caprices didn't get LT1's until 93.
 
garlicbreath said:
He isn't running a TPI setup anymore, and that negates the clearance issues with the tpi throttle body, unless I read his post wrong.

And the caprices didn't get LT1's until 93.
Click to expand...


Doh!





I haven't read his build thread yet...:whistle::doah:
 
That's true, I'm not running the TPI intake right now, but was planning on the TPI serp setup just because I have it from the same car. It's not a big deal, v belts are ok, I was just hoping to use the serp setup on the cheap.

The problem i was worried about is that the a/c and air pump were both on the passenger side, so if I don't run either there's nothing on the side...I would like a york in the future but that'll be a ways down the road.
 
I can run outside and try to get a good picture of my TPI serp setup in my blazer. Like others have said, I believe you'll need a A/C delete pulley or do like I did and just have an old compressor, make sure it has oil in it, cap off the inlet and outlet ports, and use it.

Pictures are going to have to wait till there is a break in the tropical storm rain....
 
Hope this helps, I really need to clean my engine up...

1315234095.jpg
 
Z71paramedic said:
That's true, I'm not running the TPI intake right now, but was planning on the TPI serp setup just because I have it from the same car. It's not a big deal, v belts are ok, I was just hoping to use the serp setup on the cheap.

The problem i was worried about is that the a/c and air pump were both on the passenger side, so if I don't run either there's nothing on the side...I would like a york in the future but that'll be a ways down the road.
Click to expand...



It can be done without an extra pulley.
I have the same setup like the pic above, but no compressor mounted.
The only thing different is the belt runs backwards on the idler. IE ribs against idler.
Sure, it may not be ideal, but 5 years later it's running the same gatorback belt with no issues. I did replace the idler pulley once.
I was planning on setting up a gm compressor for OBA but seems like someone already snagged all the junkyard ones around here, along with the delete pulleys.
I would run the ac delete pulley IF I could have found one.
 
Thanks guys. I'll try to find the a/c delete for not too much money but if that doesn't work do you have the belt # for the one with no accessories on the left garlicbreath? Thanks:bow:
 
Z71paramedic said:
Thanks guys. I'll try to find the a/c delete for not too much money but if that doesn't work do you have the belt # for the one with no accessories on the left garlicbreath? Thanks:bow:
Click to expand...

The blazer is in storage right now, otherwise I would grab the belt number for you.

Here is how it's routed. I ended up having someone hold the tensioner halfway in its travel, then wrapping string around the pulleys like the diagram below to get an approximate length. Then got a belt. Get 3 or 4, some longer some shorter then take back the ones that don't fit.

Like I said it's not ideal but has been running fine for years this way.

beltrouting.png
 
I forgot all about looking for an ac delete pulley a while back since this worked. Guess I need to start looking again!
 
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